Model for the implementation of strategies for the solar energy use in a healthcare network

Abstract

The implementation of strategies for solar energy use (SSEU) such as photovoltaic (PVS) and solar thermal systems (STS) in hospitals are alternatives for reducing conventional fuels consumption and CO2 emissions of energy-intensive buildings. However, there are barriers to the deployment of renewable energies in such buildings, which focus on technology costs and economic inventiveness. Thus, there is a need for tools that address the particularities of hospitals and that can provide new information to management authorities for the development of sustainable policies. The objective of this paper is to introduce a model for SSEU implementation in a healthcare network. For this purpose, a workflow is presented that allows the analysis of 3 levels in the health sector (healthcare network, hospital, and pavilion), where the aim is to: i. Identify hospitals with solar potential in a healthcare network, ii. Sectorize suitable surfaces in potential hospitals for SSEU implementation and iii. Determine the architectural, environmental, and economic feasibility of technologies. In this case, a healthcare network located in Micro-Región del Gran La Plata (Argentina) is selected as a case study. Based on the indexes developed, it was observed that potential hospitals are those located in peripheral areas. Then, linking critical fuel consumption values with solar radiation in the building envelope made it possible to detect suitable sectors for the installation of PVS on roofs and STS on north façades. Finally, state-subsidized energy and technology costs present an economic barrier to project implementation for hospital managers. However, by shifting the subsidy to the purchase of technologies, viable results could be achieved.